Bike racks for cars

Bike racks for cars have become a more common sight throughout the UK over the past few years as more people have started getting into outdoor pursuits. Here we'll have a look at some of the more common bike carriers for cars. There are three main types of bicycle rack - the roof mounted bike rack, the towbar mounted bike rack and the boot mounted bike rack.

1. The roof mounted bike carrier is a device which attaches onto the roof bars on the roof of your car and secures your bike in place. This is often a good option if you're just carrying one bike or if you want to carry a bike along with some other equipment such as a surfboard or kayak.  The bike carrier attaches to the bike at both wheels and on the frame of the bike, providing a very firm, secure way of carrying the bike. The main danger with this system is that you must obviously not forget that the bike is on the roof when driving under a bridge or underground carpark! These roof-mounted bike carriers are designed to fit all wheel dimensions, are designed to suit all standard roof bars andallow the bike to be fitted on either side of the roof.

2. The towbar mounted bike carrier is the best piece of kit if you are carrying multiple bikes and if you are going to be doing it pretty regularily. This bike carrier sits over the tow bar and locks down securely on it. The bikes then site onto the carrier and are attached on at the wheels (some devices) and at the frame (all devices), providing a secure, firm grip. Depending on the brand, tow-bar mounted bike racks can carry up to four bikes at any one time. They are ideal for families who are holidaying with the car. This carrier device also allows access to the boot, as it tilts forward (even with the bikes on it) to allow you to access your items in the boot of the car. It is suitable for all vehicles that have a tow bar, apart from some 4x4s which have the spare wheel on the rear.

3. Another option for carrying bikes on a car is the boot mounted bicycle carrier. This is a strap-based system that is geared mostly towards hatchback or saloon cars which have a sloped boot / rear. These bike racks attach onto the rear of the car by way of a series of straps that run on the inside of the boot and tighten up. They can facilitate up to 3 bikes at any one time and are a good option for motorists without a tow bar or roof rack. They also work out the cheapest option. However they are not as easy to fit as the other two options. It's a great economic alternative for mainly saloon and hatchback cars. If your car has no towbar, this is the perfect cycle carrier that can easily be mounted at the rear of the car. It has sturdy straps for securing the bikes.